Soviets Propose Monitors for All Space Launches

The Soviet Union proposed today that international inspectors monitor all space launches to prevent an arms race in outer space.

Western delegates said the proposal was aimed in large measure at the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative, the research program into a space-based missile defense popularly known as “Star Wars.”

The Soviets urged the 40-nation U.N. disarmament conference to “consider the possibility” of on-site inspection of all objects to be stationed in space as well as the launching vehicles.

The Soviets said such inspections would prevent the stationing in space of anti-missile systems, killer satellites designed to destroy other satellites and weapons aimed at targets on Earth.

Seriousness Questioned

U.S. officials questioned the seriousness of the proposal, saying it was similar to past Soviet suggestions for a U.N. agency to keep weapons out of space.

“Some of the terms are new but they really haven’t gone very far in regard to (inspection of) missiles, which are also weapons,” U.S. delegate Thomas Barthelemy said.

“We are asking them to demonstrate they are really serious by showing some glasnost (openness) in respect to the Soviet space program,” he said. So far, he said, Soviet space launches have mainly been conducted in secrecy.

Barthelemy also noted that France as far back as 1978 proposed international monitoring of space satellites but that Moscow showed little enthusiasm.

Prepared to Discuss Issue

Soviet delegate Yuri Nazarkin said today that Moscow is prepared to discuss giving international inspectors access to all objects to be stationed in space as well as to the launching vehicles.

“In presenting this proposal, we are aware of its far-reaching nature,” Nazarkin said. “It is another indication that verification will not be a problem for the Soviet Union if a real prevention of the arms race from extending to space is involved.